Located at the base of Jebel Fatira, Mons Claudianus, Marsa Alam, is about 30 miles from Port Safaga. It was a Roman Penal Colony of substance where you will find abundant Quartzy diorite, a high quality granite stone. This stones were mined as building materials for the Roman Empire. The shiny black stones from Mons Claudianus, Marsa Alam are still visible in Hadrian's Villa, in the portico of the Pantheon, in public baths and in the columns and floor of the Temple of Venus in Rome.
From 68 AD to 282 AD, for more than two centuries, Romans quarried gray granite known as granodiorite from the surrounding mountains of Mons Claudianus. These stones were used in beautifying the city of Rome. The ancient ruins of Mons Claudianus, Marsa Alam are one of the most popular Marsa Alam Tourist Attractions that can not be missed during Sightseeing in Marsa Alam. There is a temple the construction of which begun by Hadrian. But is was never finished as the ruins shows. But the stair case leading to it still exists.
The ancient remains at Mons Claudianus also shows that there were a Roman camp, apartments, workshops and stables. The camp has a granite wall boundary with rounded watch towers at the corners. The granite wall was to protect it from Bedouin attacks. You will also see the hot springs that exist there today. These springs were used in a complex underground heating system for steam baths in Roman era. On the opposite of Mons Claudianus there lies fragments of granite and several ruins of broken column and stone slabs.
Once upon a time, thousands of quarrymen and soldiers lived at Mons Claudianus, Marsa Alam. It is one of the best preserved sites of Roman civilization in Egypt. The visitors are sure to enjoy a day trip to Mons Claudianus from the towns of Hurghada, Safaga or Quseir.
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